President Biden quotes “American Anthem,” his “favorite song,” in inaugural address

Joseph R. Biden Jr. delivered his inaugural address today after being sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. Towards the end of his speech, President Biden quoted the lyrics from Gene Scheer’s composition “American Anthem,” which he called his “favorite song.”

What will our legacy be?
What will our children say?
Let them say about me
I was the one who believed
By sharing the blessings
I received
Let me know in my heart
When my days are gone
America
America
I gave you the best of me

Written by Scheer in 1998, “American Anthem” was first performed by Denyce Graves that year at the Smithsonian Institution at an event to kick off Bill and Hillary Clinton’s “Save America’s Treasures” initiative. Graves performed the song again for George W. Bush’s second inauguration in 2005. Later, Norah Jones popularized “American Anthem” again by repeating it for Ken Burns’ WWII documentary series. The war.

Earlier in the inauguration ceremony, Lady Gaga performed the national anthem while Jennifer Lopez stepped out to sing a medley of “This Land Is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRv7PXU-l2E